its devastating impact on global health .
The rise of antibiotic resistance poses a critical challenge in the management of infectious diseases , particularly when faced with complex abscesses that are difficult to treat conventionally . The current gold-standard approaches often rely on antibiotics and percutaneous drainage , but these methods can be insufficient in fully eradicating the infection . Multiloculated abscesses , characterized by the presence of multiple compartments or cavities within the abscess , further complicate treatment by limiting the effectiveness of standard therapies as these abscesses are hard to drain effectively . Furthermore , intravenous ( IV ) antibiotics often struggle to penetrate the biofilms within these abscesses , making eradication of the infection challenging , requiring multiple attempts at drainage and a wide range of antibiotic use .
Our Solution : The Dedicated Catheter Delivery System
In response to these challenges , our interdisciplinary team at Bluegrass Biodesign has developed a dedicated catheter delivery system tailored for methylene blue photodynamic therapy ( MB-PDT ). MB-PDT is a promising technique that utilizes the light activation of methylene blue , a photosensitizing agent , to target and destroy bacterial cells within the abscess . Historically , the use of PDT for antimicrobial purposes has been limited due to concerns about achieving uniform activation of the photosensitizer , leading to inadequate reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) generation . ROS generation is crucial for effectively clearing infections . 3
Our catheter system addresses this limitation with its revolutionary 360-degree movement capability , helping to ensure uniform activation of methylene blue throughout the abscess cavity . This innovative approach not only enhances the efficacy of treatment but also minimizes the risk of recurrence and the development of antibiotic resistance . By directly targeting the infectious source and penetrating tough bacterial biofilms that standard antibiotics cannot , our catheter delivery system represents a significant advancement in interventional radiology . The ability to consistently activate the photosensitizer throughout the entire abscess cavity ensures a more comprehensive and effective antimicrobial response , demonstrating a new way for PDT applications toward infectious disease management .
Advancing Health Equity and Future Plans
We hope our PDT approach will improve health outcomes for severe abscess cases , reducing hospitalization stays and benefiting those with limited access to extended treatments . Shortened stays free up resources and personnel for others in the community , enhancing the overall distribution of health care services . By providing a less invasive and potentially more effective option for communities with limited access to surgery , our catheter delivery system aids in addressing critical health disparities . Additionally , limiting the use of prolonged antibiotics reduces the risk of multi-drug resistant
( MDR ) microbes in communities . By ensuring that our device is affordable and equitably distributed across diverse populations , particularly in underserved areas , further promotes health equity .
Our Future Plans
Looking ahead , our team is committed to further refining our catheter design and initiating clinical trials to validate its effectiveness and safety . Securing funding is crucial to advancing this project to the next stage of development and ultimately bringing this innovative therapy to patients in need . We hope for further collaboration with medical professionals , researchers and industry partners . We are excited to embark on this journey towards improving patient outcomes , combating antibiotic resistance , meanwhile bridging the health equity gap in abscess treatment care . Stay tuned for updates as we progress toward realizing our vision of a more effective , targeted approach to treating complex abscesses . We are confident that our work at Bluegrass Biodesign will contribute to reshaping the landscape of interventional radiology for infectious disease management .
References :
1
AMR Review Paper - Tackling a Crisis for the Health and Wealth of Nations . https :// amr-review . org / sites / default / files / AMR % 20Review % 20Paper % 20- % 20 Tackling % 20a % 20crisis % 20for % 20the % 20health % 20and % 20wealth % 20of % 20 nations _ 1 . pdf .
2
World Health Organization . Antimicrobial Resistance . https :// www . who . int / news-room / fact-sheets / detail / antimicrobial-resistance .
3
Helen Chan , Martin S . Pavelka Jr ., Timothy M . Baran , “ Methylene blue photodynamic therapy of bacterial species found in human abscesses : planktonic , biofilm , and 3D silicone models ,” Proc . SPIE 12358 , Photonic Diagnosis , Monitoring , Prevention , and Treatment of Infections and Inflammatory Diseases 2023 , 1235805 ( 14 March 2023 ); doi : 10.1117 / 12.2648350 .
Khoi Do is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine planning to attend residency in ophthalmology .
Yedarm Kim is a third-year medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine planning to attend residency in oncology .
Ingrid Okonta is a third-year medical student at the University of Louisville School of Medicine planning to attend residency in orthopedic surgery .
Dr . Schoen graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine in 2024 and is currently in his first year of residency for interventional radiology .
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